Tainted Robes

by Joe Nobody

  “Again, I’ve asked myself that question a thousand times,” Sutherland replied. “The short answer is the complete unraveling of society. A collapse. The end times. Doomsday.”

  “Could this be religious in nature? Doesn’t the Hojjatieh interpretation of Shiism call for its followers to work toward the end of days to enable the return of their messiah?”

  Sutherland was impressed by Storm’s knowledge, flashing a toothy grin at the marshal. “Yes, it does, but those factions are far and few between. And they tend to think of a more violent event, such as deploying a nuclear weapon. Besides, Iran couldn’t keep us from disabling their centrifuges, let alone pull off something like this.”

  “So, there is no one that can accomplish this? Yet, we see it happening right in front of our faces,” Griffin grumbled, sitting back in disgust.

  “What about the computer chip makers? There aren’t very many major players globally. Could they be working together on some hidden agenda?” Kit pondered.

  Shaking his head, Sutherland declared, “No, not by themselves. Now, if you threw in the software companies that wrote the three major operating systems, the major database vendors, and a handful of chip makers, then you would have at least assembled the technical capabilities to accomplish something on this scale.”

  Griffin brightened, “Now we’re getting somewhere. It is possible? Is that where we should be focusing our attention?”

  Grinning at the marshal’s binary thinking, the scientist challenged, “But for what purpose? Why would eight or ten of the world’s most powerful, most profitable corporations want to destroy their own marketplace? If society collapses, there won’t be anyone buying cell phones or laptops. Again, look at Wall Street today. Together, those companies probably lost over a trillion dollars in just a few hours.”

  Changing the subject, Kit inquired, “Why were you at Cyber Ace?”

  “Their technology is at the forefront of internet efficiency. It’s one of the reasons for their success in a crowded industry. I thought I might find a clue from their historical logs, and I was curious if they had noticed anything unusual during their development like my friend did.”

  “And?”

  “They refused to share anything with me, which in the end, isn’t all that surprising. Competition is brutal in the digital arena. It’s extremely difficult to protect intellectual property.”

  The table was silent for a bit, the trio taking turns sipping their cups and pondering what had been shared. Finally, it was Griffin who broke the silence, “How do we catch them, sir?”

  “You don’t,” the scientist answered without hesitation. “Even if I could name names, there wouldn’t be much you or any of the authorities could do. They are, for practical purposes, unstoppable.”

  The thought of the federal government being helpless to thwart lawbreakers didn’t resonate well with Griffin or Kit. “Are you saying these people are above the law?”

  Instead of a yes or no answer, Sutherland recited history. “If what we all believe is true about their proficiencies, they can manipulate any law enforcement database in the country. They can probably do the same with communications systems, cell phones, and perhaps even individual automobiles. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say it is well within their means to take down the whole grid if they wished. Given that, what would your plan be, Ms. Carson? How would you prosecute them, even if you did know who was involved?”

  Long winded explanation or not, Kit understood.

  “So how do we stop them?” Griffin asked, not willing to accept the older man’s explanation or logic. “There must be a way.”

  “You find out why this is being done and eliminate the necessity. Given what you’ve told me and what the JASON members have learned on their own, I sense a hesitation on the manipulator’s part… a reserved approach to their objectives. Think about it; they could cause nuclear reactors to melt down, trick the military into attacking with weapons of mass destruction, and cause all kinds of physical havoc. Yet, they’ve just nibbled around the edges so far. They are trying to achieve some goal… have some sort of deliverable in mind. Find out what that is, eliminate the possibility or need, and I think this nonsense will stop immediately.”

  Chapter 13

  The disappointment felt like a 500-pound weight across Griffin’s shoulders as he and Kit returned to their hotel. Cyber Ace had been a dead end, the meeting with Sutherland raising more questions than what it had answered.

  What troubled the marshal the most was that for the first time in his professional life, there was an evil that he couldn’t confront.

  As per habit, he removed his belt holster first, setting his sidearm on a nearby table. “You’re worthless in this fight,” he chided the weapon. That realization concerned him further, deepening his sense of helplessness.

  It was just over an hour till check out, their flight not until early that evening… if the airports were reopened. “Relax,” he commanded himself, his eye drifting to the hotel mini-bar.

  “No, you’ve got to drive and be sharp. No.”

  Over and again, he replayed their conversation with Mr. Sutherland. Griff wasn’t a huge fan of secret organizations, shadowy societies, or clandestine clubs. Yet, the JASONs had been formed and supported by far brighter men than he.

  Sutherland’s frustration with the lack of cooperation he’d received from Cyber Ace was obvious. Was a second attempt worth the effort? Could another, more pointed, visit from a federal prosecutor and a US marshal loosen Mr. Mahajan’s tongue?

  He was just about to pick up the hotel phone and dial Kit’s room when the bedside unit jingled on its own. “Hello.”

  “Griff, it’s Kit. Have you turned on the news?”

  “No, why?”

  “El Paso is under full-blown martial law. Half of downtown is burning,” she replied.

  “Oh, shit. We’d better get back. I’ll call and see if there is an earlier flight. We can fly into Albuquerque and rent a car.”

  Exhaling, Kit muttered, “Don’t bother. In fact, the airport is still closed. I just got an email alert from my phone – our flight has been canceled. New Mexico won’t work – the roads around El Paso are all closed.”

  “Damn….”

  “I’ve been watching the developments on TV for a few minutes. What is happening to our home city is really disheartening, Griff.”

  He didn’t respond immediately, his brain trying to figure an alternative route back to El Paso. He came up empty. “Bus or train won’t work. There’s no way I can get us on a jailbird with such short notice.”

  “I think we’re stuck here for the time being,” she lamented.

  Again, the marshal paused. Finally, “I’ve got an idea. It’s a little aggressive, but right now it’s the only thing I can come up with. Want to join me so we can plot, conspire, and strategize?”

  “Sure. Nothing could be worse than watching El Paso, Chicago, Washington, and a half-dozen other cities scorch on live television.”

  A light rap sounded at Storm’s door a few moments later, the marshal greeting a clearly shaken Kit.

  “I think we need to take a second pass at Mr. Mahajan,” he began without wasting any time. “Sutherland doesn’t strike me as a master interrogator. With my badge, your federal ID, and our combined charms, we might persuade him to be a bit more forthcoming.”

  Rubbing her chin, Kit argued, “That’s pretty desperate. Ven seemed like a cool cookie to me.”

  “We are pretty desperate. Hell, the country is desperate. Besides, my read of Mr. Tech Guru is that a little physical intimidation will get his tongue to flapping. I probably won’t even have to break any bones.”

  “Griff! Don’t even go down that path with me along. Playing cowboys and Indians with biker gangs and drug dealers is one thing, choosing the low road with a man like Mr. Mahajan is another. We don’t have a single shred of evidence that he knows anything, let alone has committed any crime
.”

  “Sutherland was convinced enough to drive all the way up here from Los Angeles. The people I spoke with back east said he was one of the brightest men in the country. Since we’re stuck here, it’s at least worth another shot.”

  Kit was still skeptical. “So, what do you propose? You hold him down while I put a slug in his kneecap?”

  He had to laugh, despite not knowing if she were entirely joking or not. “No, no need to go that far. I was visualizing a visit to his home. Invade his private space. Get real aggressive with our questioning. Hint that I’m going to kick his ass… that sort of thing.”

  Kit’s expression indicated she was going to dig in. “We’re not government thugs, Griff. We operate within the rule of law, remember? We get warrants, mirandize, avoid cruel and unusual, and ensure a trial by a jury of peers. Going in like you’re suggesting is a slippery slope, and before long, we’ll be as bad as the people we put behind bars. I just can’t go there.”

  Shrugging, he strolled to the nightstand and lifted the television remote. Three clicks later, the screen was filled with violent images of upheaval, civil unrest, and outright anarchy. “Okay, have it your way. Let’s figure out how to get back to El Paso.”

  She watched the horrific images for less than a minute before turning to him. For the first time since Griffin had known her, there was fear in her eyes. “You made your point. I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures. Just promise me you won’t physically hurt anybody.”

  Raising his right hand, he covered his pinky fingernail with his thumb, forming a salute. Smiling, he promised, “On my honor, ma’am.”

  “Oh, yeah, like you were a Boy Scout,” she scoffed. Still, with her trepidation behind her, she jumped in with both feet, pulling out her cell phone. Using the device’s browser, she accessed the California Department of Motor Vehicles law enforcement portal. Using Mr. Mahajan’s license plate, she extracted his home address in less than 30 seconds.

  A light rain kept William from his favorite perch on the deck. Still, the sitting area off his expansive master suite afforded an acceptable, though somewhat drizzly view.

  Curled with his arms wrapped around his knees, he gently rocked against the plush cushions while his gaze focused on an infinite point in space and time somewhere beyond Puget Sound. He was having second thoughts, a rare occurrence for the man who had revolutionized the world of computer software and built one of the most powerful corporations in the world.

  The television and internet were rife with troubling images. Chicago was an inferno, as were Atlanta, Philly, and parts of Los Angeles. El Paso was in complete anarchy, the violence and social upheaval spreading at an incredible rate. People were dying out there, the body counts rising with each news cycle.

  While Gravity Well had predicted a high level of causalities, somehow the video streaming across William’s state of the art monitors seemed so concrete… tangible. Cold, calculated rows and columns of numbers were one thing, observing human pain and suffering in 4K reality was quite another.

  During the past few days, he’d reminded himself time and again that what he was witnessing was insignificant compared to the anguish and death the entire human race would suffer if the Komitet didn’t act. Three thousand dead in Chicago was minuscule compared to 30 million dying of starvation in just a few years.

  Yet, he still had reservations.

  William didn’t question Gravity Well’s predictions, nor did he have any misgivings about the artificial brain’s scheme. No, what troubled his genius was the right of anyone to interfere with destiny, no matter how well intended.

  The plan was simple enough, a minor course correction of the planet’s most influential government. Congress, both the Senate and House, had to be eliminated.

  The morality and ethics of Washington, DC had been corrupted by too much power and influence, the vast majority of which flowed through Capitol Hill. Lobbyists, special interest groups, and the two-party system had tainted what had once been the world’s best method of governance. Now, according to Gravity Well, it was time for a change. The survival of mankind depended on it.

  Given the modern internet, wireless networks, smart devices, and the technical infrastructure that was now the backbone of American life, elected officials served no practical purpose. Regional representation was outdated, easily replaced by direct voting on even the most mundane issues.

  Why shouldn’t every citizen log in and vote on every law, bill, treaty, and regulation? Wasn’t that the truest form of democracy? What was to stop majority rule? Without the interference of lobbyists and special interests… if law-making could be void of political posturing and filibustering…. wouldn’t the process be streamlined? Wouldn’t the laws be simple, understandable, and clear to the average person?

  The executive branch’s role would be much as it is today – enforcing the law of the land and charged with defending the nation. Even Gravity Well couldn’t concoct a structure that eliminated the White House. Likewise, the judicial branch would remain mostly unchanged, a necessary component for the time being.

  Congress, however, had to go.

  William could easily picture this future. He and the other technology giants could implement the necessary security and verification protocols to ensure legitimate election outcomes. People would sign in, research multiple positions on each issue, and cast their votes on everything from spending bills to taxation to social issues.

  Political organizations would be forced to evolve if they wanted to survive. Instead of focusing on getting their candidates elected, they would be required to play the role of a marketing organization, selling the American people on their agendas and beliefs, making pitches for their positions.

  Each special interest group, industry sector, and fringe element would have to specialize in presenting an argument that earned enough votes. Want gun control? Come up with the online campaign that convinces the majority of your fellow Americans to cast a ballot for that position. Believe in a woman’s right to abortion? Sell your argument well enough to get 50.1% of the popular vote.

  For the first time in the history of mankind, America would truly be a government for the people, by the people. That was the first step to redemption. Others, more radical, would have to follow.

  Just like the rise of software and technology, William believed strongly that he and the other members of the Komitet had it right. After all, wasn’t it their foresight and drive had brought about the digital revolution? Their products and services had improved practically every aspect of daily life, impacting more people than any government program, legislation, or law ever written. Why shouldn’t they focus their efforts on how the people were ruled? Certainly, they were more qualified than the average compromised congressman or senator.

  No, Gravity Well had predicted that the old system was doomed, and William wholeheartedly agreed.

  Yet, the transition was far more troubling than he had anticipated. What gave him the right to instigate such upheaval? Who had anointed the Komitet as planetary savior? Should they just mind their own business and let destiny run her course?

  “What is the alternative?” he mumbled. “What other progression can be acceptable?”

  His shoulders slightly hunched, William plodded to his desk and began browsing Gravity Well’s predictions for the nth time. Had the machine intelligence missed something? Was there some factor that should have been part of its massive analysis?

  No. Facts were facts. The data didn’t lie, spin, or exaggerate.

  Page after page of apocalyptic prophecy scowled across the screen. Global warming, manmade or not. International tensions. Income divide. Adaptive bacteria. Political division. Religious strife. Terrorism, both physical and economical, and of course, red-hot war.

  All of mankind’s glorious faults and self-defeating tendencies were part of the algorithm, some working in tandem, others taking a solo path to the destination of ultimate destruction.
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  Mother Nature would play her role as well, adding her spices of drought, volcanos, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, tornados, wildfires, tsunamis, and earthquakes to the salad of man’s destruction.

  The buffet of doom droned on and on, including large portions of science’s attempts to stem the tide. Genetically modified organisms, nuclear power generation, weather control, surface water management, and an entire host of feeble efforts intended to alter the destiny of mankind’s collapse. Many would backfire, others generating little more than temporary delays and false promises.

  William’s finger paused the display, his eyes again seeking the window as if the expansion outdoors would allow his mind more room to roam.

  There was no alternative, he decided quickly. He had launched a powerful armada of change on a specific course, and to question that directive now was a waste of valuable time and mental resources. He and the Komitet had committed to do something. To stick his head in the sand and wait for the end of days was a far more egregious sin than an allegiance with the devil to salvage his species’ future.

  He was at peace with their collective motivation. None of them were acting in the vein of self-promotion. Personal betterment wasn’t even a fractional factor.

  Just as William began to rise from his seat, a musical tone sounded from his personal phone. Fishing the device from his pocket, a deep frown formed on his brow. There were very, very few people who had this number. Any sort of incoming message couldn’t be good news.

  After dragging his fingers across the small screen, he read the text quickly. “Mahajan important?”

  William stood quickly, his gaze instantly seeking the view beyond the window. The name was familiar, but from the past, but that wasn’t what bothered him the most. Since the formation of the Komitet, Sebastian had only contacted him three times. Something must be wrong.

  It took him a moment to recall the facts surrounding Dr. Mahajan, his interaction with the software guru having occurred so long ago. Another few heartbeats and William’s expression changed from annoyance to fear.